Effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on oxygenation, vascular autoregulation, and central thickness of the retina in people with type 2 diabetes: A prespecified secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial.

Gullaksen S, Vernstrøm L, Sørensen SS, Funck KL, Petersen L, Bek T, Poulsen PL, Laugesen E

Journal of diabetes and its complications5 Apr 2023Cited by 13 (Europe PMC)

PMID37062189DOI10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108472PepBankPUB-37062189

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

AimsSemaglutide and empagliflozin have shown cardiovascular protection. In SUSTAIN-6, semaglutide was associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. We investigated whether changes in retinal oxygenation, retinal vascular autoregulation, and central retinal thickness are altered by semaglutide, empagliflozin or the combination.MethodsThis study was a prespecified, secondary outcome from a randomised, 32 weeks partly placebo-controlled, partly open-label, clinical trial on the effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on arterial stiffness and kidney oxygenation. A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group). We primarily hypothesized that semaglutide would increase venular oxygenation.ResultsWe found no changes in retinal arteriolar, venular or venular-arteriolar oxygenation nor in retinal vessel diameter regardless of treatment group. Semaglutide increased central retinal thickness compared to placebo with ~1 % (3.8 μm 95 % CI [0.9;6.7], p = 0.009) with no changes in the empagliflozin or combination group.ConclusionNeither semaglutide, empagliflozin nor the combination alters markers of retinal function. The effect of semaglutide on central retinal thickness was small, but the clinical significance is uncertain.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, retinal arteriolar, venular and venular-arteriolar oxygenation did not change with any treatment group, semaglutide included.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, retinal oxygenation did not change with semaglutide compared with placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeRetinal arteriolar, venular and venular-arteriolar oxygenation
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
We found no changes in retinal arteriolar, venular or venular-arteriolar oxygenation nor in retinal vessel diameter regardless of treatment group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3706218901
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, retinal vessel diameter did not change with any treatment group, semaglutide included.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, retinal vessel diameter did not change with semaglutide compared with placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeRetinal vessel diameter
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
We found no changes in retinal arteriolar, venular or venular-arteriolar oxygenation nor in retinal vessel diameter regardless of treatment group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3706218902
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide increased central retinal thickness by about 1 % (3.8 μm) compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide raised central retinal thickness by about 1 % compared with placebo.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseCentral retinal thickness
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Central retinal thickness difference
3.8 μm
semaglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
Semaglutide increased central retinal thickness compared to placebo with ~1 % (3.8 μm 95 % CI [0.9;6.7], p = 0.009) with no changes in the empagliflozin or combination group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3706218903

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

04HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, the combination of semaglutide and empagliflozin did not change retinal oxygenation.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide together with empagliflozin did not change retinal oxygenation.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeRetinal oxygenation with semaglutide plus empagliflozin
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
We found no changes in retinal arteriolar, venular or venular-arteriolar oxygenation nor in retinal vessel diameter regardless of treatment group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group).
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3706218905
05HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes, the combination of semaglutide and empagliflozin did not change central retinal thickness.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide together with empagliflozin did not change central retinal thickness.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeCentral retinal thickness with semaglutide plus empagliflozin
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Secondary
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
Semaglutide increased central retinal thickness compared to placebo with ~1 % (3.8 μm 95 % CI [0.9;6.7], p = 0.009) with no changes in the empagliflozin or combination group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 participants with type 2 diabetes, established or high risk of cardiovascular disease and age ≥50 years were randomised into four parallel groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or tablet placebo, n = 30 for each group).
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3706218904

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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